TSUBAME
TSUBAME SCISSORS
About TSUBAME
In brief
TSUBAME is a Japanese scissor brand founded in 2001 in Niigata, crafted by metalworking artisans from a region with 300 years of tradition.
Cutting Scissors · Thinning Scissors 5.5–6.0 in
Profile updated Apr 2026
Price
US$200–500Price band US$200–400 · Mid-rangeTypical documented price, not a quoteWhere to buy
2 retailersBuying routes
Where to buy TSUBAME
Retailers ScissorPedia has cataloged. Prices and stock are on each store’s site.
US & Canada 1 retailer
Japan 2 retailers
Maker’s own dealer information: official site ↗
Catalog map
The TSUBAME range
5 models · 5.5–6.0 in
Scissor Set 1 model US$200Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range
Cutting Scissors 3 models US$350–500Price band US$400–800 · Premium
Thinning Scissors 1 model US$350Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range
Tsubame, the Niigata city with roughly 300 years of metalworking history, gave this scissor brand its name and its founders. A group of local craftsmen started TSUBAME in 2001. Five items are listed, guide-priced between US$200 and US$500, in 5.5 and 6.0 inch lengths, from the 6-piece 420A shears set to the Ceramic 60M cutter, with 440C, VG-1, and VG15 steels across the lines.
About TSUBAME
TSUBAME is a Japanese scissor brand founded in 2001 in Tsubame, Japan, a city with roughly 300 years of traditional metal processing history. The brand was started by a group of craftsmen from this metalworking region. TSUBAME Scissors now has a U.S. presence based in El Monte, California.
Heritage
Tsubame City (in Niigata Prefecture) is one of Japan’s most recognized centers for metal craftsmanship, alongside nearby Sanjo. The area’s metalworking traditions date back approximately 300 years, and the region produces everything from kitchen knives to industrial tools. TSUBAME Scissors draws on this deep local expertise.
In 2009, the company expanded internationally, launching product lines in the United States, England, Holland, France, and China. They later added an e-commerce platform to reach stylists worldwide.
Product Range
TSUBAME produces cutting and thinning scissors for weaving, slide cutting, and slice cutting.
The brand is carried by its own official online store, as well as through HIEN and Hasami House in Japan. This gives stylists multiple purchasing options depending on their location.
Market Positioning
TSUBAME sits in the mid range price tier. For American stylists, the El Monte, California address means domestic ordering and support are available. The brand’s roots in Tsubame, a Japanese city long associated with metalworking, give it a credibility that resonates with professionals who value regional craftsmanship.
The Tsubame and Sanjo area of Niigata is home to several other scissor brands as well, so TSUBAME operates in a region where scissor making is a concentrated local industry rather than an isolated operation.
Sources
- TSUBAME official website: tsubamescissors.com
- HIEN retailer listing
- Hasami House retailer listing
See Also
How TSUBAME compares
Similar origin and adjacent price band. Brass rows differ; “—” means the field is not documented yet.
| Spec | TSUBAMETSUBAME | AlphaAlpha | Alu-CobaAlu-Coba | AuroAuro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Typical price | US$200–500Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$514–1,207Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$200Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$424–499Price band US$400–800 · Premium |
| Steel | 420A, 440C, VG-1, VG15 | SG2 | Cobalt steel | Cobalt Alloy |
| Edge type | — | — | — | Straight |
| Handles | — | — | — | Offset, Straight, Crane |
| Left-handed | — | — | — | — |
| Thinning | 1 models | 1 models | — | 2 models |
| Specialties | Weaving, Slide cut, Slice cut | Volume control, Slide cut, Stroke cut, Blunt cut, Texture… | Base cut, Step cut, Volume control, Texture control | Cobalt alloy builds, Multi-tooth thinning options, Handle… |
| Founded | 2001 | 2006 | 1946 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
7 answers you can open one at a timeIs TSUBAME a Japanese scissor brand?
Yes. TSUBAME was founded in 2001 in Tsubame, a city in Niigata Prefecture with roughly 300 years of metalworking tradition, and its scissors are handcrafted in Japan.
Where is TSUBAME based?
The brand is rooted in Tsubame, Japan, and runs a U.S. operation in El Monte, California, so stylists in the States can order and get support domestically.
What kind of scissors does TSUBAME make?
TSUBAME makes cutting and thinning scissors, with blades geared toward weaving, slide cutting, and slice cutting.
What sizes do TSUBAME scissors come in?
TSUBAME models stick to 5.5 and 6.0 inch lengths. The Matsu and Slim cutters and the 6-piece set come in both sizes, while the Ray thinner and Ceramic 60M are 6.0 inch only.
How much do TSUBAME scissors cost?
The 420A 6-Piece set anchors guide prices at US$200, the Matsu, Slim, and Ray models hold the middle at US$350, and the Ceramic 60M tops out at US$500. That US$200 to US$500 spread covers the 5 items.
Where can I buy TSUBAME scissors?
You can buy them through the official TSUBAME store, and in Japan they are also stocked by HIEN and Hasami House.
Ratings & reviews
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